Transgender women now allowed to compete in Miss SA beauty pageant

Many social media users have applauded the Miss SA organization for allowing transgender women to enter the competition.

This week, the organization announced that entries for the search for the next beauty queen who will hold the title, are open until June 24.

“We are delighted that the Miss SA brand continues to provide a leading voice for not only the winners but also all young entrants and finalists who join us as a part of this empowerment platform. We can’t wait to meet the class of 2021 and introduce them to all of SA,” said Stephanie Weil of the Miss SA organisation.

Under the criteria for Miss SA 2021, the organisation said male-to-female transgender entrants were eligible to enter the pageant.

“Trans women are eligible to enter the Miss SA pageant, however, to be eligible to compete internationally, the contestant must be in possession of a valid South African ID document reflecting that their amended s.e.x is female,” said the organization.

This is in line with what the pageant has said before, in response to calls for transgender women who have not had a surgical transition to be eligible.

In 2019, the pageant had its first openly queer finalist, Sibabalwe Gcilitshana.

Speaking about the groundbreaking moment at the time, Gcilitshana told the publication that she hoped to be visible and take up space that had not previously been held by people like her and actively represent people from her community who can resonate with her experience.

“I want people to know that my identity is not the only narrative of why I am here. I hope this will normalize different identities and I hope that the next queer, bis.e.xual and non-binary finalists to come will never have to be labelled by their identity; they will just be considered Miss SA finalists,” she said.

On social media, many welcomed Miss SA’s inclusion, sharing their hopes that a transgender woman would be crowned this year’s winner.

I wonder if Miss Universe n Miss World is doing the same so that we don’t get to fights when a trans women wins the crown here n can’t compete internationally. Someone needs to ensure that we open all the way to the top.

— A different way of life (@Bafoza82000832) May 25, 2021

In other news – Video: Spider-Man shows up at Anele Mdoda’s birthday party and it was lit

TV and radio presenter Anele Mdoda celebrated her 37th birthday at the weekend with her close friends and family and, yes, Spider-Man was also there.

It was nearly impossible to miss him in his red and blue suit as Anele and her guests were all dressed in white. Plus, he performed alongside the TV presenter. Learn More

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